SEM’s CEO, Dr Maxwell Ayamba BEM attended his first Campaign for National Parks (CNP) Council meeting at the University of Westminster in London on Wednesday January 21, 2026. Maxwell said he was delighted to represent SEM on the CNP’s Council and look forward to working with the CNP as part of Defra’s commitment made in 2024 to introduce new legislation to reform the purposes and governance of National Parks. 

The CNP is keen to ensure that this legislation is introduced at the earliest opportunity and is used effectively to ensure that National Parks are delivering their full potential for nature, climate and people. The CNP also wants to see a commitment to similar changes being introduced in Wales where Senedd elections are taking place in May 2026. This Council meeting, therefore, provided a timely opportunity to consider our priorities for reforming National Park purposes and governance. 

The Minister for Nature Mary Creagh CBE MP, DEFRA, who was not able to attend in her written statement said, the Government recognises the critical importance of England’s Protected Landscapes – that they are vital for nature recovery, tackling climate change and improving the health of the nation. They are a cornerstone of our heritage and essential to our future’. 

The recent 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was a powerful reminder of the vision that created Protected Landscapes. The groundbreaking Act built the foundations for modern nature conservation, paving the way for our iconic network of National Landscapes, Parks and Trails. 

Celebrating this milestone was also a reminder that while Protected Landscapes deliver so much, there are significant barriers to them achieving their full potential. The anniversary presented an opportunity to set ambitious goals for the next 75 years – to make Protected Landscapes wilder, more inclusive and resilient to challenges in the future.  

That is why, just before Christmas, we renewed our commitment to Protected Landscapes. We announced reforms to empower National Parks to deliver bold solutions, now and for the future. Through strengthened purposes and regulation, alongside a wider package of tools and resourcing, we will empower Protected Landscapes to be greener, wilder and more accessible. 

 We are committed to putting nature at the heart of Protected Landscapes purposes and ensuring that this translates to delivery. For example, our new guidance will clarify authorities’ duties to support Protected Landscapes and help them achieve better outcomes for people and nature. 

We also announced we will revamp governance of these special places. Effective governance is the foundation of Protected Landscapes ability to deliver their purposes and respond to future challenges.  

This Government fully recognises the extraordinary work being delivered in Protected Landscapes due to the passion, skills and dedication of those who work within them. Our aim is to ensure that governance creates conditions which help, rather than hinder, this vital activity. By bringing a wider range of voices, skills and perspectives into decision-making, we can ensure that boards reflect the needs of the communities they serve. Building on the Landscapes Review and subsequent engagement with partners, we will codesign a package of measures which is robust enough to reflect the national importance of these places, but flexible enough to account for the unique local circumstances and communities which make them so special. 

This is about renewing the social contract between National Parks and the nation. These landscapes belong to everyone, and their underpinning legislation and governance must reflect that. The challenges facing Protected Landscapes are significant. So are our ambitions. By working together, we can ensure these landscapes thrive – enriching our lives and those of generations to come.

Dr Rose O’Neil CEO CNP (pictured with Maxwel) said the CNP was delighted to welcome SEM onto the Council and look forward to working with SEM especially on delivery of the CNP’s New Perspective project. 

Our Radical Future: A Declaration

SEM’s CEO, Dr Maxwell A. Ayamba joined 200 delegates from National Parks, funders, businesses, environmental organisations and young people at a reception hosted by John Whitby MP at the House of Commons on December 16th, 2025, to launch the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) declaration titled, ‘Our Radical Future: A Declaration’. It is aimed at making National Parks greener, and more accessible to all young people and to have them as part of shaping the future of National Parks. The Declaration is to ensure that young people from all backgrounds are heard and valued in key decisions about National Parks to better drive nature recovery, climate resilience and social justice.

The event was also to celebrate the end of the New Perspectives project which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund enabling young people across England and Wales to develop, share and lead on ideas for the future of National Parks. The initiative enabled Future Leaders Courses, 56 leaders, professionals and campaigners aged 20 – 30 years to join the most effective change-makers in the sector, building skills and sharing ideas for intergenerational leadership for the future of National Parks, with the National Parks Futures Network due to be launched in January 2026.

Mary Creagh CBE MP and Minster for Nature in her keynote, applauded the young people for emerging as future leaders and custodians of National Parks. She noted how the youth voice is helping to re-shape the conversations around what National Parks mean to us and how they were already leading the way for the future of these landscapes. The Minister noted how National Parks in England are leading the way among National Parks in the world over especially in these times of climate change and nature crisis.

In her speech, Taryn Nixon, of the National Lottery Heritage Fund announced more funding of £250,000 to develop a new project that would engage a diverse range of young people in a new programme called, ‘National Parks Re-imagined.

Our patron Kate Ashbrook also attended the Campaign for National Parks event. Kate has a blog about her fantastic environmental campaign work, you can check it out here.